HC seeks authorities' response on tree felling

Hyderabad: A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court, comprising acting Chief Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili and Justice N. Rajeshwar Rao, on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to respond to a contempt case relating to the felling of trees at the Damagundem forest in Vikarabad. The High Court, earlier while dealing with a PIL, had issued certain directions. It was contended in the PIL that revenue and forest authorities had allotted land in Kothrepally of Damagundem forest in Vikarabad for the establishment of the National Prisons Academy. It was contended in the PIL that such allocation violated the statutory provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, Telangana Forest Act and Biological Diversity Act. It was also contended that such allotment led to the destruction of wildlife and dense forests. In the present contempt case, it was alleged that the authorities were continuing to fell trees though the court had previously placed an embargo on the authorities, to not fell trees without the explicit permission of the High Court.

Consider medical reimbursement to pensioner, HC orders

A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court on Tuesday directed the state and Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University to consider releasing pensionary benefits to a retired administrative officer. The panel was dealing with the case of R.V.N.S. Murthy, a resident of Green Hills Colony, who appeared in person and alleged that the authorities were not considering the case of the petitioner for releasing arrears of medical reimbursement to the tune of '2,45,998, while paying the same to other employees and pensioners of the administrative office. He further alleged that authorities were not paying the regular instantaneous medical reimbursement to him either. The bench, observing the material available on record, directed the authorities to consider the representation of the petitioner within three months and take necessary steps per law.

HC tells NMC officials to attend on July 24

A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court on Tuesday dispensed with the presence of the president of the National Medical Commission and others, while hearing a batch of writ petitions filed by a group of medical colleges, challenging the withdrawal of permission for the 2021-22 academic session. To the bench, comprising acting Chief Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili and Justice N. Rajeshwar Rao, the institutions argued that such an act of the authorities was without jurisdiction and contrary to the National Medical Commission Act. It was further contended that it was discriminatory against the petitioner institutions, given the order passed in similar circumstances in the case of MNR Medical College. To the contrary, the respondent authorities contended deficiencies concerning human resources, bed occupancy and clinical material, due to which permission was withdrawn. Earlier, the bench, observing discrimination against the petitioner institutions, directed the president of the National Medical Commission and other officials to attend the court. However, as the officials were preoccupied with official duties, the bench directed them to be present before the court on July 24.        

ST reservation plea admitted

The two-judge bench of acting Chief Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili and Justice N. Rajeshwar Rao gave four weeks to the state government to reply on reservations to political officers in agency areas. The bench took on file a PIL filed by Bhukyadeva Nayak, complaining that the government was not issuing a notification reserving all posts of the president and members of ZPTC in agency areas for local tribes. The petitioner contended that there were nearly 2,000 revenue villages in 89 revenue mandals, which required to be exclusively reserved for local scheduled tribes. The failure to notify the same, the petitioner argued, was not only an injustice to tribals but was unconstitutional.